One woman. Two personalities.  A magic whistle with powers of mind control.  It's not about being right...it's about WINNING.

Just in time for the start of the presidential primary season, Ryan Raftery returns to Joe’s Pub for his fifth consecutive run, premiering his new celebrity bio-musical comedy IVANKA 2020. Inspired by the classic film The Manchurian Candidate and the beloved animated film Anastasia, Raftery’s latest piece is a satirical commentary on what is arguably the most fascinating political landscape the United States has seen in decades.

IVANKA 2020 tells a tale that begins in turn-of-the-century imperial Russia, where a young girl named Anastasia receives a jewel-encrusted whistle as a gift from her doting grandmother. Unbeknownst to all within the golden palace, a courtier by the name of Rasputin has placed a curse on the whistle, allowing him to control the mind of the young girl, bringing about the sabotage needed to destroy the powerful family. Cut to almost a century later, where Russian government officials have discovered the whistle and its powers and set out to interfere with yet another powerful political family. This time, it will be another favored child in another golden palace that would be entangled in a game of international political espionage and her name...is Ivanka.

"...Twisted genius" - The New York Times
"Ryan Raftery is a force of nature all his own." - Interview Magazine
"A one-man musical juggernaut." - New York Daily News

Written and performed by Ryan Raftery
Directed by Jay Turton
Story by Ryan Raftery and Jay Turton
Music Direction by Daniel Lincoln
Wig Design by Marty Thomas
Makeup by Andrew Schoomaker
Illustrations by Gabriel Gigliotti
Costume Design by David Dalrymple
Wardrobe Consultant: Stephanie Stone
Photo Credit: Brendan Burke

The artist would like to dedicate this performance to the memory of Silvio Horta.